Swords Glossary

This site is to help sword lovers to explain many of the Japanese sword related topics which sword lovers may want the answer.

We welcome all to ask questions and we will put your questions answered by the smith master and display in this page.

This page will be updated from time to time, please stay tune with us.
Topic one: Japanese Sword Part in General.
Topic two: How to clean your swords in a correct way?
Topic three: Free advice from the smith?

Topic one: Japanese Sword Part in General.

Boshi - the hamon on the kissakiFuchi - hilt collar between the tsuka and the tsubaHa - the edge of the blade; typically much stronger than the rest of the bladeHabaki - wedge shaped metal collar used to keep the sword from falling out of the scabbard and to support the fittings below; fitted at the ha-machi and mune-machi which precede the nakagoHada - the grain of the blade, created by the folding process to remove impurities from the bladeHamon - the pattern on the blade indicating the border between the harder ha and the softer muneHi - the fuller or blood groove; also called a bo-hi (wide fuller)Kaishizuno - a hook shaped fitting used to lock the scabbard to the obi while drawingKashira - butt cap (or pommel) on the end of the hiltKissaki - the geometrical change at the tip of the blade intended to use for stabbingKogai - spike for hair arranging carried sometimes as part of Katana-Koshirae in another 'pocket'Koiguchi - mouth of the scabbard or its fitting; traditionally made of buffalo hornKojiri - end of the scabbard or its fitting to protect the saya; also traditionally made of buffalo hornKozuka - decorative handle fitting for the kogatana; a small utility knife fit into a 'pocket' on the scabbardKuri-kata - knob on the side of the scabbard for attaching SageoMekugi - small peg for securing the tsuka to the nakago; nihonto traditionally had only one bamboo mekugi which was flexible but strongMenuki - ornaments on the hilt (generally under the tsuka-ito); to fit into the palm for grip and originally meant to hide the mekugiMune - the spine of the bladeNakago - the tang of the bladeNakago-ana - the hole(s) for the mekugiSageo - cord used to tie scabbard to the belt/obi when wornSame-hada - literally the pattern of the ray skinSame-kawa (samegawa) - ray or shark skin wrapping of the tsuka (handle/hilt)Saya - a wooden scabbard for the blade; traditionally done in lacquered woodSeppa - washers above and below the tsuba to tighten the fittingsShinogi - the ridgeline which runs down the center of the bladeShitodome - an accent on the kurikata for aesthetic purposes; often done in gold-ish metal in modern reproductionsSori - the curve of the blade, measured on the mune side, from the mune-machi to the tip; a product of the hardening processTsuba - sword guardTsuka - hilt; made of wood and wrapped in samegawaTsuka-maki - the art of wrapping the tsuka, including the most common hineri maki and katate maki (battle wrap)Tsuka-ito - the wrap of the handle, traditionally silk but today most often in cotton and sometimes leatherWari-bashi - metal chop-sticks fit in a 'pocket' on the scabbardYokote - the line between the kissaki and the rest of the blade, indicating the geometry change